5 CMS students Bulldog Pride! 1 of 3 middle schools in CCSDPoverty index 81%409 students in grades 6, 7, and 8264 African American students122 White students42 certified staff members (11 males, 31 females)Changing demographics since school began tracking data for “expected progress” then to 409 students nowLike other high poverty schools, CMS has struggled to reach the report card targets for which the bar is raised each year.

6 CMS students 50% or more students enter CMS lacking essential skills(e.g. multiplication facts)enter CMS readingbelow grade level"I don't care what they do on TV, Jerome, you can not call a life line."

7 High priority need  READINGOn the average, CMS students begin the school year approximately 2 years below grade level in reading.STAR reading assessment Fall 2008Most 7th and 8th graders who are over 2 years below grade level in reading have built up walls of resistance and don’t want to keep trying because of past failures in learning to read.Grade LevelAverage Instructional Reading Level64.2 Scored as well as a 4th grader after 2 months of instruction74.6 Scored as well as a 4th grader after 6 months of instruction85.7 Scored as well as a 5th grader after 7 months of instructionIn what ways does reading impact all subjects?

11 Learning is like rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back.A constantly moving target…Learning is like rowing upstream,not to advance is to drop back.– Chinese proverb

12 The challenge of hitting a moving targetSchool Report Card ScoresThe challenge of hitting a moving target* Targets based on value needed to move out of “at risk” status -The bar is raised each yearLooking beneath the surface…What can we learn from disaggregated data by subject, grade, etc.?20052006200720082.42.52.62.72.3Target*CMS AllBased on 4 core subjectsgrades 6, 7, and 8

13 PACT Student Performance DataData analysis leads to identifying root causes and key leverage areas to target for improvementData analysis by school, grade, subject, subgroupsTeacher roleIn/ Out reportsExpectation is at least 10% of students will move up1 performance level on state test with no students slippingTeacher reflection and collaboration (PDP)Goal setting and working with “bubble” studentsAchievement gap analysis and planningAfrican American studentsStudents from a culture of povertyState and Federal Accountability

18 Math disaggregated by gradeSchool Report Card ScoresMath disaggregated by grade20052006200720082.42.52.62.72.32.82.92.12.2Target*CMS AllMathContinuing to lookbeneath the surface...Gr. 6Gr. 7Gr. 8What are pockets of excellence in math?How has each grade improved over time?

19 Teachers with In/Out 2008 PACT growthMathematics*Science**Steedley+.40Fanchette+.23SPICE+.18Wiggins+.10BarnhillINTERVENTIONIST+.28MillenSpecial Needs+.17Archer+.58Morton+.20KennedyMillenSpecial Needs+.67Jeffords+.10** Only students with matching scores; Testing only gr. 4, 7 for all students* All students tested annually

20 Teachers with In/Out 2008 PACT growthEnglish Language Arts*Social Studies**Walsh+.49Martin+.44TriplettINTERVENTIONIST+.30Edwards+.24ReidSpecial Needs+.15Thomas+.10** Only students with matching scores; Testing only gr. 4, 7 for all students* All students tested annually

23 Adequate Yearly Progress (NCLB)AYP ChangesExtended team of teachers working with top students (SPICE/Honors)PASS replaces PACT - New performance levelsSC like other states’ definition of “proficient” in 2009old PACTnew PASSAYP performanceAYP performanceBasicProficientAdvanced“Met” Standard“Exceeded” Standard

27 Focus Plan GoalsBy April 1, 2009, students in grades 6-8 will demonstrate achievement in….English Language Artsas evidenced by 75% of the students attaining a passing score of 70% or higher on a comprehensive standards-based exam.Mathematicsas evidenced by 77% of the students attaining a passing score of 70% or higher on a comprehensive standards-based exam.Scienceas evidenced by 70% of the students attaining a passing score of 70% or higher on a comprehensive standards-based exam.

28 2008-2009 Focus Plan Goals continuedPrincipal’s Instructional Leadership to Increase Student AchievementBy April 1, 2009, the principal will provide support to increase student achievement as evidenced by attainment of targeted pass rates on comprehensive standards-based exams as follows: English Language Arts, 75%, Mathematics, 77%, and Science 70%, ….….through monitoring the instructional program.… through providing professional development.District Administrators’ Instructional Leadership to Increase Student AchievementBy April 1, 2009, the district will provide support to ensure that students in grades 6-8 will demonstrate achievement as evidenced by attaining the three content goals (ELA, math, and science pass rate targets).

35 School StatusExpected Progress on PACT for ERT-supported “at risk” schools0.3 increase over 3 years on report card scoreCMS was point from reaching this targetState of EmergencyCMSPPS Status

36 2009-2010 PPS partnership 1 out of 41 schools in the state3 levels of support based on need:Turnaround, Support, District-AssistedCMS – Tier 2 SupportSCDE – Assistance with finance, budgeting, staffing, recruitment, retention, partnerships, leadership team, district/state programs and initiatives, support system of professional development activities for teachers, principals, and district staff to include a developmental curriculum approach model for

37 2009-2010 Support and OversightBi-weekly:PPS-Liason on site SC Dept. of Ed. SupportMonthly:District leadership support/review of dataClassroom Common AssessmentsClassroom Observation DataTheory of ActionRegional S2MART CentersPPS Professional Learning Community Collaboration Meetings Regional Meetings Regional Monthly Teacher SupportSupport Services for Making a Real Transformation

38 Obstacles and ChallengesNumerous teacher and administrative turnover in recent yearsInability of our students to read and comprehend 50% Below Basic – ELA 2008Reduction in funding – loss of administrative and curriculum personnel, teacher cut backs lead to higher teacher/pupil ratioRetention and recruitment of high quality teachers and leadersAcceleration of reading progress for struggling ELA studentsParent involvement“When parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents’ education level.”—National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement

40 “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”Restructuring“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”--Theodore RooseveltThe challenge is for us to get all stakeholders to work collaboratively and cohesively together for the benefit of our students.

43 Guidelines for PPS Action Plan GoalsRequired Instructional Goals for ELA and math“Through a development curriculum approach, specific needs of studentswill be assessed, determining ongoing adjustments to be madeaccording to the progress of students, ensuring academicimprovement by May 3, 2010.” sample goal from SCDEMeasurement will be determined by growth indices from Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)Required Principal Instructional Leadership GoalsMonitor instructional practicesLead staff in improvement in instructional climate (surveys)Required District Instructional Support Goal –Monitor all of the above

45 “Teaching is hard work. Success can be ensured for every student only when teachers pool their strengths and support each other by engaging in a common quest for continuous improvement.”-Turning Points, p. 141